Death toll rises to 413 in Sudan fighting: WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that children are paying a high price in the current Sudan crisis, with at least nine reportedly dead in the fighting and more than 50 seriously injured, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu. WHO stated that so far, 413 people have died in the ongoing conflict.

At a UN press briefing, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris stated that 413 people have died and 3,551 have been injured in the fighting, according to estimates from the Sudanese government. The conflict involves the nation’s army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which have been going on for a while.

She claimed that 11 attacks on medical facilities had been confirmed, including 10 since 15 April.

“The Sudanese Ministry of Health reports that 20 healthcare establishments have stopped working.” Additionally, 12 healthcare facilities are at risk of closing, according to data from the Ministry of Health, said Harris.

According to the WHO spokeswoman, this has an impact on “all those people who need care, and this is not only the people who have been injured in terrible fighting but also the people who were needing treatment before and are continuing treatment.”

At the same press conference, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said that “clearly, as always, the fighting takes a devastating toll on children.” “As of right now, there have been reports of at least 50 injuries and the killing of nine children.” “Those numbers will continue to rise as long as the fighting continues,” he added.

Elder said large numbers of people are trapped and do not have access to electricity, as Anadolu reported.

“They’re terrified of running out of food, water, and medicines,” he said, adding, “One of our grave concerns is around hospitals that have come under fire.”